Report: Eminent domain leads to abuse

The state's public advocate this morning said the Legislature needs to act swiftly to redo New Jersey's law governing eminent domain because it is written in a way that leads to the abuse of private homeowner.

In preparing a report issued today, Public Advocate Ron Chen said he found the current eminent domain law fails to protect people's rights and guarantee sound redevelopment projects.

"The findings in this report crystallize the urgent need for our Legislature to change the state redevelopment law," Chen said in a statement accompanying the report. "When the government misuses the power of eminent domain, people can lose their homes without real evidence that their neighborhood is blighted, without adequate notice or hearings and without fair compensation."

A bill to address Chen's needs has stalled in the state Senate after being introduced last year and passed by the Assembly. The measure, A-3257, that would change the law by tightening the definition of blight and ensure property owners would receive fair treatment when local officials want to condemn their land for private redevelopment.